To say that I’ve been looking forward to this beer is an understatement. One of my buddies happened to pick this up in Denver last year but he of course didn’t share. 22 ounce bomber poured into an oversized wine goblet. Comes out of the bottle dark brown (think cola) with a frothy long lasting tan head. Wish the head was a bit thicker, but the high ABV probably makes that difficult. Aroma comes across as this dank and earthy hop character, with big notes of pine. It’s huge! Roasted grain and chocolate are buried in the nose. You have to work your way past the incredible hop aroma but they’re in there. Then there’s the whole matter of taste. Hops shatter the palate first, with a prolonged bitterness in the finish. The first taste is all hops. As you acclimate you’ll be able to start to pick at the malt profile a bit more, but the first taste is jarring. I like the mouthfeel as well. It’s slick and despite all the hops never gets sticky. This beer finishes very dry (something I’ve noticed with most Stone beers), as the malt character never goes overboard into sweet territory. Instead it opts for roasted and nutty, with a slight bitter coffee note. That’s not the best description. Let me put it this way I’ve toasted pine nuts, getting them to the point where they’re almost too dark, and that’s what this malt flavor reminds me of. It’s not burnt, but is right there on the edge. There’s also some definite alcohol warmth but I’m not picking up any fusels in the nose or taste, very impressive. It’s not often that I find a beer that lives up to my expectations when trying it, but Sublimely Self-Righteous does that and then some. Not sure if it’s possible, but this is a textbook example of an emerging style.

Liquid amazement is what I would have to call this. Save for the aroma being a little on the burnt side, this black IPA is incredible. Smooth and thick, this beer brings an awful lot to the table. High on the bitters throughout the mouth-feel, its smoky, mellow aftertaste makes you completely forget that. This is definitely a beer that balances itself well. Out of all the 'newish' style of black IPA that I have had, this one is definitely the crown jewel. Congratulations Stone, for making another beer that I find to be so enjoyable.

This is sort of a lesser cousin to the Stone 15th Black Ale. That said, it can't be faulted at all; it offers more drinkability than the 15th, and somewhat less of a medicinal aspect. What can I say, I love both. Stone has defined Black IPA, in all its contradiction as a term, they bring the intense hop and roasted malt together perfectly in both cases. I had the 15th when it was just a week or so old, and I have never experienced such a fresh hop blast. Again, this is similar, but less hi-test and in your face. But not much, at all. I'm glad this is becoming a regular offering. Herbal hops with a touch of a medicinal aspect, which is rare and appreciated. Kick ass brew from a kick ass brewer. Get it if you can handle it.

this stuff pours black as night. i can't even see sunlight through the glass. the head is great and leaves elaborate lacing.

the smell is heavy with hops. juicy grapefruit comes to mind. there is a hint of rich chocolaty malt. most definitely pungent and strong hop domination here.

oh wow. i have to admit, the alcohol hits me in the mouth first, followed by a sweet, licorice-like malt and aggressive, juicy hops that also have an earthy note. roasted and coffee tastes are strong as well. it's rich, smooth, creamy while at the same time abundantly bitter and resinous with hops.

mouthfeel slightly creamy, perfectly carbonated, and a little dry at the end.

i believe this was a very fresh bottle. i don't have the words to properly describe this beer experience. it's fucking amazing.

(My first beer review on BA!) Poured into my Stone Brewing pint glass. Just tried this one for the first time now, and I must say, I'm really impressed with this beer.

A - A very dark brown, almost Pepsi-like black color with a one-finger light brown head that eventually turns to a slightly thin layer of foam. Has a moderate amount of lacing in the glass.

S - The hops are the main thing that I notice, along with a nice roasty backbone. It's almost like a standard IPA (citrus/pine from the hops), yet with sort of a porter/stout roasted character in the background, but a bit lighter (which, for my palate, is quite pleasant). Very nice.

T - I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor. The taste between the hops and the roasted malts have a really nice balance, more so than from the aroma. It's like the hops and malts are working 50/50 with each other; you get the pine/citrus flavor of the hops, yet you're getting that dark roasted flavor from the malts, but neither are overpowering the other.

M - Surprisingly light for 8.7% ABV, although I would say it's medium-bodied overall. It has a moderate amount of carbonation with a nice hop bitterness.

O - Again, I was pleasantly surprised by this brew. Like a few reviewers have mentioned already, I think this would be a nice example of a black IPA. It has the potential of a regular IPA, yet also has a really awesome roasty flavor that compliments the hop bitterness. I've had one other black IPA from another company so far, but I feel like the roasted flavor of that beer dominated the hops. With this one though, as mentioned above, it's a perfect 50/50. Stone definitely knows what they are doing, and this one is worth a try. I will have more of these in the future for sure.

Well its Monday...what the hell....why not have a Self-Righteous Ale!?!?!? This beer has awesome complexity....that I would argue gave birth to a whole new line of craft beers....the Black IPAs, etc. This beer is very dark with ecru foamy head. The nose screams hops like an IPA. The taste is a wonderment that begins like an IPA, but finishes with a roasty malt character. The mouthfeel is decent, but the ABV can be tough to start. I could probably handle two stingers (22oz) fairly easily, but after that someone would have to carry me home.

Amazing aroma that includes dark fruits, roasted malts, dark caramel, and pine. A rich, complex flavor. Starts a little sweet, and then waves of chocolate malt, bitterness, toasted bread, pine, and caramel malts. This is such a unique and flavorful beer, showcasing phenomenal malts with some hops to give it a bite. Renewed my faith in the oft underwhelming black IPA style.

I have had an hour pass since I imbibed so my recollection is fresh yet I have no notes, just great memories

A - Lovely - very dark in a snifter with ruby highlights in the corners. The foam is light brown. The first glass out of the tap held no head after a minute or two - the second glass maintained for twenty minutes, frilling nice lacey remnants.

S - Stone has had some great winners lately - the 13th Anniversary Ale and this years DB, both winners in the aroma (and flavour). Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale too, is a scent to behold. Piney. Fruity. Resinous (very resinous)! Malty aroma is all pleasant and sweet.

T - I can't say anything negative about this beer's flavor either. It is indeed sublime - sweet and malty - bitter and perfectly balanced. The use of Chinook hops for bettering is bold. Simcoe utilization is fruity not at all soapy. The hops profile is well executed, interesting and appropriate. The beer is very hoppy but not boring. It is not typical. It is huge but appropriate.

M - The beer is rich as a barleywine. Mouthfeel is quite pleasing, but I wonder about this class of strong ale. It is indeed"strong" ale but it's very much in Stone's old ale class.

A- jet black with a 2 finger slightly offwhite head. So yeah, this looks awesome. Not at all what I was expecting...but it looks great.

S- holy fragrance! It smells like the best IPA in the world...I get pounded with hops...grapefruit and orange mostly predominant. Not at all what I'd expect from something that poured like this.

T- this is amazing...I'm getting a ton of hops like it smells, and theres also a smokiness that is representative of the color. The bitterness from the hops mixes so well with that subtle smokiness...its amazing

M- feels great. Carbonated goodness without having a texture that makes it overwhelming...this is perfect.

D- unbelievably drinkable. I want more now. It drinks like an IPA but looks like a stout...I love this so much

On tap at BSP 05/14/09. Blackish pour into a pint glass, with an unusual striking sandy tan head. Speckles of sand on top of the perfect 1" froth. Gorgeous contrast of color.
Pungent pink grapefruit on the nose, with a touch of charcoal smoke.
Massive grapefruit up front, which rides all the way through. Very nice malt flavor in the middle and back. Scotchy malt, smoke while possessing a mediciny bitterness. Bright, floral hop bouquet throughout. Somewhat tart and bitter finish.
I had 3 pints and could have had 3 more easily. Exceptional flavor & drinkability...so damn unique.

A- Black with reddish hues, not hazy at all. A quarter finger of a brown head.
S- A strong presence of a burnt caramel backbone. Some coffee and dark malts hidden beneath. An awesome floral hop aroma.
T- Holy Hell, this is good. A bitter hop assault on your tongue, consists of lots of piney and floral notes. This is more IPA then stout unlike some other Black ales. The unique malt character is perfectly balanced with the hoppiness. Malt taste are Burnt caramel, dark chocolate and some smokeyness.
M- A massive beer that doesnt have any other the massive drawbacks. Its a big beer so expect to get pretty full pretty quick. Leaves the mouth neither too dry or wet. Little to no sticky mouth feel. Very warming but at almost 9%... duh. This beer is full bodied and full of flavor.
O- I am in love with this beer, it is the best Black I have had to date. If anybody can get their hands on Stone 15th Escondidian I would love to work a trade for it.

I mean it is just like stone, this is not a bodybuilders beer, it is a powerlifter beer, strong and bold as hell, and not worried about it's waistline our how it looks in speedos. This beer does not care if you like it or not, it is taking your girlfriend home with it. The next day she will call this beer an $$$hole and crawl back to you, but late at night when the moon is full and she is ovulating, she is gonna think about this Sublimely Self Righteous Ale and moan in pleasure.

Such a big taste, it lingers and lingers in your mouth. It is hoppy as hell and bitter, but you can dive in and get the malt. It is like a double IPA/Stout.

Easily my favorite Stone beer, if not my all-time favorite beer, period. A real treat that should be enjoyed by any hophead looking for something more than your standard DIPA fodder.

pours pitch-black into a snifter, with a dark ruby hue when held up to direct light. Full two-finger head dissipates quickly with medium lacing. piney hops hit the nose first, with caramel, chocolate and dark fruit (raisin & fig) behind it. hops don't factor quite as heavily in the taste, with chocolate, toffee, light coffee, and dark fruit flavors abound. the hops make their presence known towards the end, where the pineyness & bitters hit the back & sides of the tongue, along with a mild alcohol burn. Full bodied, but not stout syrupy, and insanely drinkable.

The roasted malts & signature Stone hop punch create a very interesting & complex cross-breed of a beer. I'm planning on getting my greedy mitts on as much of this stuff as i can. A true drinking pleasure.

Very under-rated Black IPA. The appearance is very dark with a cream colored head. Smell has lots of malt. Taste hops up front followed by a strong, but not over-powering malt backbone. Easy to drink and at 8.7% ABV could almost be classified as "Dangerously Drinkable" which I like. The mouthfeel is a very faint dryness from the hops with some lingering malt notes.

A: chocolate brown color, no haze,, huge tan head with long retention, lots of lacing

S: it has a moderate malty aroma with a powerful citrusy hop aroma. has an IPA like nose.

T: its got it all. massive dose of bitterness greets you, there is a caramel sweetness that follows along with a dark fruit/raison-like character and some roasted grains. this is all mixed in with some citrusy hop flavor. finishes back where it started, with a good dose of hop bitterness.

A: Poured very dark brown almost black with a huge head of sand. The beer laced endlessly and perfectly.

S: Lots of ripe grapefruit and citrus, pine in the background, some slight grassy notes as well. A bit of roasted malt sweetness too. Just great smelling beer. So fragrant.

T: Juicy grapefruit, citrus hops explode. I mean this is a monster. I still get some pine but mostly grapefruit. There is enough malt to stand up to the hops but it never dominates the flavor for more than a second in the mid swig. The malt is dark, bitter and sweet like russian bread. But this is all perfect hop character. Have..no..words.

M: I dont care, this is too good. It seems a little heavier which is good for the brew. Not syrupy.

Prior to pouring this bad boy, I read over the bottle. A brief scan mentions IPA as the style, so I brace myself for another Stone hop bomb.

Poured into a pint glass.

Wait a second - this is dark, REALLY dark. Unlike like any IPA I've seen before, but totally intriguing from the get go. Totally sturdy head with lots of lacing and plenty of sticking to sides goodness. Roasted malt mixed with pine and citrus is the complex aroma. Really nice and different. Taste is a cross between a really nice dark ale and a hoppy IPA. Sweet and malty but finishes bitter and citrusy. Excellent stuff. Sturdy, full mouthfeel and this is one easy to drink brew. I could have another bottle right now. But alas, I only bought one. Highest recommendation.